The Global Precipitation Climatology Project (GPCP) has released the GPCP Version 1 Combined Precipitation Data Set, a global, monthly precipitation dataset covering the period July 1987 through December 1995. The primary product in the dataset is a merged analysis incorporating precipitation estimates from low-orbit-satellite microwave data, geosynchronous-orbit-satellite infrared data, and rain gauge observations. The dataset also contains the individual input fields, a combination of the microwave and infrared satellite estimates, and error estimates for each field. The data are provided on 2.5° × 2.5° latitude-longitude global grids. Preliminary analyses show general agreement with prior studies of global precipitation and extends prior studies of El Nino-Southern Oscillation precipitation patterns. At the regional scale there are systematic differences with standard climatologies.
*NAS A/GSFC Laboratory for Atmospheres, and Science Systems and Applications, Inc., Greenbelt, Maryland.
+NAS A/GSFC Laboratory for Atmospheres, Greenbelt, Maryland.
#OAA/NWS National Centers for Environmental Prediction, Camp Springs, Maryland.
@NASA/GSFC Laboratory for Hydrospheric Processes, Greenbelt, Maryland.
&NOAA/NESDIS Office of Research and Applications, Camp Springs, Maryland.
**NOAA/NESDIS National Climatic Data Center, Asheville, North Carolina.
++Deutscher Wetterdienst, Global Precipitation Climatology Centre, Offenbach am Main, Germany.
